Mitt Romney is a competent politician and competent politicians usually know how to duck questions about topics they don’t want to talk about. They respond briefly and vaguely and then turn to something slightly related, but far less politically toxic. This is the pivot and it’s a skill every politician must have down pat. So why does …
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Virginia: Where History is Politics
UPDATED. See additions after the jump.
Having grown up in the Commonwealth, I’m no stranger to the tensions that inevitably lie at the intersection of Southern history and Southern politics. Back in the 1980s and ’90s, Virginia had a very awkward thing called Lee-Jackson-King Day. Believe it or not, the government decided it would be …
Be Afraid, House Dems, Be Very Afraid (or Not)
Not to beat a dead horse, but Republicans continue to write ominous memos and give cryptic quotes about the political danger House Democrats face if they pass the Senate health bill. They’re publicly naming names now in an effort to scare wavering or vulnerable House Democrats into voting against the bill. (Steve Driehaus and Nick …
CPAC’s Youngsters
CPAC this year is younger than ever and, as Katy Steinmetz and I discovered, young = party!
A Presidential Campaign Speech at CPAC
It is no secret that Mitt Romney has presidential ambitions. Since his loss to John McCain in the 2008 Republican primary, the former governor has remained focused on positioning himself for another run. Like many of his potential 2012 rivals, he has written a book, raised money through a political action committee, weighed in on a few …
Today’s Health Care Checkup – GOP Plans Under the Spotlight
Perhaps to President Obama’s relief, Republican health reform plans are the ones being scrutinized now, in advance of the Feb. 25 bipartisan summit on health care that the president called for over the weekend.
* David Herzenhorn of the New York Times sees a way that the summit could be useful, informative and game changing…if …
Political Theater or Substantive Debate or Both?
As Karen just noted, in an interview with Katie Couric that aired just before the Superbowl, President Obama called for another bipartisan meeting on health care. After being pummeled by accusations of back-room deals and sharp partisanship, Obama said he would convene a half-day meeting where Republicans and Democrats would be able to …
The HHS Budget and What it Says about Reform
At a news briefing today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius talked about funding for her agency contained within President Obama’s proposed 2011 budget. She talked about more money for community health centers, information technology, and drug and cancer research, among other priorities. But toward the end of the …